BOOKS (so put down your textbook)

In school, we are required to read certain books and as soon as they are assigned they lose their charm. That's why it's vital to sit ourselves down with a good book of our choice and devour it. Some books are in a league by themselves because of their interesting and witty plot, or simply their fabulous creativity. Enjoy.

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Nesting: It's a Chick Thing by Ame Mahler Beanland & Emily Miles Terry is a New York Times Bestseller, but that isn't why we love it. The book is filled to the brim with stories, recipes, advice, crafts and humorous experiences geared around "Adventures in Domesticity." Don't be fooled: this modern, crafty approach is far different than your grandmother's. With adorable, inspiring quotations and retro illustrations sprinkled throughout the book, this collection makes a wonderful read. There are tips on how to decorate an empty room and "How to be a Hostess Cupcake," a gardening guide and quizzes, including one called "Who's Your Party Persona?" There's even a chart named "Chick Cheats" that tells you what to substitute if you don't have an ingredient, and how to host "The Party to End All Parties." The delicious recipes range from "Chicken Pesto Salad" and "Baked Banana-Stuffed French Toast" to the delectable "Margie's Cowboy Cookies" (complete with oats, chocolate chips, coconut and nuts). Since I got this book, it hasn't left my side. I've brought it to college with me and next year when I will be living with a few friends in a house off-campus, this creative genius of a book will be in my paws to guide me through decorating... my empty room. Grab your girlfriends and read it!

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The Devil Wears Prada by Lauren Weisberger tells the story of small-town girl Andrea Sach's adventures of working as Miranda Priestly's assistant. Miranda Priestly is the powerful, fashionable Editor-in-Chief of Runway magazine and the office is overflowing with skinny men and women who adorn themselves in Prada, Versace and Dior. Miranda calls Andrea constantly and barks orders, and the constant stress and strain of the job drives away Andrea's longtime boyfriend and friends. Andrea Sachs dreams of working at The New Yorker and has heard that after a year of working with Miranda, she can get anyone into any publication's office, but Andrea must choose how much of herself she'll allow to give up in the process. This well-written page-turner adds another view to the stereotypes of the beauty and glamour in working at a high-end fashion magazine. Its perfect for a relaxing summer read.

Vindication: A Life of Mary Wollstonecraft by Lyndall Gordon is a wonderful account of Mary Wollstonecraft's life. Wollstonecraft (1759-1797), who wrote much, including A Vindication of the Rights of Women, is revered as the founder of modern feminism, and, in her time, the most famous woman in  Europe and America. Her views on motherhood, sexual relationships, marriage, friendships and working life are considered very modern for her day. In the 1700s, if a husband wanted sex, he could rape his wife and women could not vote or hold property. Mary Wollstonecraft was a highly controversial figure because she did not sit back and let men do whatever they wanted to. She rescued her sister from a sexually abusive marriage (remember, there was no research on how to pleasure women sexually back then), started a wonderfully progressive school, and was not afraid to speak up when everyone else was too afraid to. We owe many of our rights, including being able to hold jobs and attend college, to Mary Wollstonecraft. Her book is also a fascinating read. Lyndall Gordon portrays Wollstonecraft with grace and eloquence as a mother, lover, teacher and traveler. Everyone should read this book!

French Women Don't Get Fat: The Secret of Eating for Pleasure by Mireille Guiliano is a stylish, witty guide to how to eat like a French woman. Why is it that women in France can eat bread, croissants and drink wine and they still remain slim? When she was a teenager, Guiliano came to the United States as an exchange student and while in the U.S., she picked up on American dining practices. By re-learning French eating practices, she was able to lose weight and keep it off. Although the book is often black and white (American practices=bad, French=good), it still has something in it for its reader to learn. I guess I'm biased though because I already eat rather French. It has interesting little anecdotes and several recipes that she writes are well-seasoned because seasoning is "vital for fighting off the food lover's worst enemy: not calories, but boredom." Check out this book that has everyone talking.